IRB Referees and Match Officials

Emirates is at the centre of every international rugby match through its sponsorship of the IRB’s referees.

The elite pool of officials who take charge of the sport’s biggest matches wear Emirates on their shirts, ensuring we are with them at the heart of the action on the pitch - and on the touchlines too!

In January 2014, Emirates extended its sponsorship of the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) match officials until the end of 2019, which includes for the first time in Rugby World Cup (RWC) history the rights to brand the shirts of match officials on the field of play during the tournament. Since the inception of RWC in 1987, no brand has ever featured on the playing kits of players or match officials.

The airline also sponsors the Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019, Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens as well as US Rugby Sevens and XVs teams.

From left to right, IRB referees Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Steve Walsh (Australia), Craig Joubert (South Africa) and Wayne Barnes (England) at Madinat Jumeirah. They were among a group of 21 referees who recently attended an IRB training camp at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Emirates has extended its sponsorship of the IRB referees until 2019.

From left to right, IRB referees Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Steve Walsh (Australia), Craig Joubert (South Africa) and Wayne Barnes (England) at Madinat Jumeirah. They were among a group of 21 referees who recently attended an IRB training camp at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Emirates has extended its sponsorship of the IRB referees until 2019.